When I started talking to Finland Tourism about coming to Finland I asked if I could spend a few days in Tampere which I heard was called the Manchester of the North because it also came from an industrial history.
Michael from Go See Write also wanted to come along as well and it was nice to visit a city with a friend.
Our first day was with Ville from Dream Hostel, although we weren’t staying in the hostel (remember I’m so over hostels) he knows the best parts of Tampere.
Apparently it’s the outdoors.
I learned there is a humorous phrase in Finnish for when you spend too much time outside – fresh air poisoning. It is mostly used by kids who want to stay inside or lazy people like me who prefer to stay away from doing anything too strenuous, especially in the cold.
But today I got a taste of it and I actually liked it!
Although we were supposed to go skating on an open lake it was too warm so instead we went snowshoeing. Oddly as a I Canadian I’ve never been snowshoeing. Snowshoeing ended up being much easier than I realized and it was really nice to get outside. Fresh air isn’t such a bad thing.
But the real fun was about to begin when we saw they had kicksleds.
Kicksleds are best described as snow scooters? Kids uses them as transportation to go to school. Also adults are still seen on them in rural areas as you can put groceries on the front seat. Ville showed me how to use them. But then I gave up and just let him push me around on one. They are so much fun but really hard!
Ville was clearly better than me but I have to say I haven’t laughed that hard in ages.
Maybe I need a bit more fresh air poisoning?
How is it that Michael isn’t wearing gloves?! Too much of that fresh air get to his head? I’d be dying.
It was surprisingly warm when we were there, but yeah considering he is from Arkansas you would think he would feel colder.
Sounds like you had a fun time! I am NOT a cold weather person, so I’m not sure how I’d deal with all that outdoor time, but I would love to see Finland someday.
Although I am from Canada I also prefer warm climates but somehow being in a different country made it more bearable,
That looks FAR too cold and snowy for me.
Maybe only 0C which isn’t too cold but indeed it is far.
You’ve never snow-shoed? *shocked* (I kid, I kid!) It’s fun! How did your legs feel after? Mine felt like dead weights that I had to carry around for the next couple of days. Those kicksleds look REALLY cool! I’d give them a try!
Well considering I’m lazy as hell and haven’t done any exercise in ages my legs were definitely dead weights.
And I adore the kick sleds. I kind of want one for home.
I’m a little obsessed with cold weather and a lot obsessed with Europe. Finland fits both bills. Oh, and I have to laugh at Michael. Good stuff.
Obsessed with cold weather? You are crazy!
That is so cute! I wish they had kick sleds in Canada.
Me too, I cannot believe they didn’t make it over here.
We need kick sleds in Canada!
Do we ever!
Hahaha. I love the photos of you guys on the sleds…and I’d have been more excited about going to school if I’d had that as my mode of transport.
I laughed the whole time, I was far too out of shape but it was still a lot of fun.
Ha ha, don’t think you were too heavy from too much reindeer meat. Maybe he just needs to eat more spinach! 😉
Or kale, it’s the new spinach 🙂
Excellent! A little fresh air poisoning never hurt anyone…haha…looks like a ton of fun though! The most interesting forms of exercise and outdoor fun are found in winter…although fresh air poisoning in summer is fun too I’m sure.
Yeah maybe I could start incorporating a bit more activity in my travels than simply putting fork to mouth.
I’ve never even heard of kick sleds! Probably what I get for growing up in North Carolina. Looks like you had so much fun-I’m always looking for new excuses to spend more time outdoors 🙂
Not at all, I am Canadian and I have never seen them before. I am shocked they didn’t make their way to Canada considering we have the same climate.
I’m a totally city girl – Love my smoggy, busy, polluted air – but there’s nothing like escaping it all for some fresh air, especially when there’s snow on the ground. This looks like so much fun! 😀
I am with you there, I prefer the city although snow is a bit of a nice novelty if only for a week or so.
I do wish that I could be less of a wuss about the cold. And considering I grew up in Upstate New York, I really shouldn’t be! But I think of myself as a born-again beach girl now…
I wonder if they make kicksleds for sand? 🙂
yepyep, here in Finland you can put wheels on them too.
works good on asphalt (use a helmet)
yepyep, here in Finland you can
put wheelson them too. works good
on asphalt (use a helmet)
Doesnt work on sand?!?!
I still have an old picture I have of my father pulling us around so long ago on a makeshift “sled” in the snow. It was a wooden board with some electrical wire put through it so you could pull it.
Everybody needs to experience playing outside in the snow a few times in their life!
Nice post. 🙂